Day 38

Day 37

Message from DG Howard Tong

31 December 2010

DG Howard Tong has been a fanmtastic supporter of the Journey of Hope and has written about the adventure on his blogsite

Goal setters on final leg

Isn't it amazing how setting a goal makes things happen? Our two intrepid riders have done just that. When you read this message, Xaver and Ollie will be on the last leg of their amazing 'Journey of Hope'. The vision, the drive, the passion and energy are admirable. But then, without the backing and support of you all, their journey would not have been so rewarding.

It's been amazing how Clubs, Rotarians and non-Rotarians have rallied around our riders as they have passed through the various townships. Hospitality has been shown and the generosity of the giving has resulted currently in more that $30,000 towards the Polio. In 2011 we (i.e. Rotarians from around the world) will meet our international challenge to raise $200Million to match the $355Million donated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

It is good to see the involvement in the bike ride by local politicians and Mayors who have also hopped on their own bike to support Xaver and Ollie.

So in summary a goal was set and we now have the result. The challenge for us at the start of 2011 is to set our own audacious, hairy and scary goals to ensure we also achieve great things as we work to build communities and bridge continents.

Have a great year - sharpen your pencils and start setting those goals.

Howard Tong

Journey of Hope in deepest Westland

31 December 2010

The Journey of Hope is in the depths of the West Coast where the people are scarce and thre sandflies are not.

The internet is not available and therefore we will not hear from Xaver and Ollie until they reach Frans Josef later today.

From all of us at Team Journey of Hope we wish you a fantastic new year and may you achieve everything you set out to do.

Day 33

Day 32

RC Westport hospitality and a challenge

24 December 2010

On 22 December 2010 20:53, <cjbrun@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

Hi Xaver & Oliver

While in Westport your hosts are Robert & Sonia Hoetjes, your contact point is Hagadorn Funeral Services, on the corner of Wakefield and Derby Streets, the phone number is 03 789 7075. On your extra day in Westport this is also the second day of the Westport Races and we hope to have you both make a circuit of the race track on your bikes.

Look forward to meeting you both just give Robert and Sonia a ring when you arrive and they will come in and pick you up.

Yours in Rotary

Charles Bruning

on 24 December Ollie replied

Thank you Mr Bruning,

We would love to take part in the races and look forward to our time in Westport.

Day 30

Day 29

And Now Watch the Movie

21 December 2010

Keen Rotarian and cyclist, Jim Greenhough, narrates a little movie made about the Journey of Hope as it arrived in Wellington accompanied by the Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown, President of RC Wellington South, Francis Fanning, and two members of Parliament, Trevor Mallard and Tim Macindoe - the only ones who were brave enough to venture out into the conditions.